Pneumatically-operated electrical switch.



J. F. BENTZ & J. A. SERTL. PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-19. 1914. 1,178,703.

Patented Apr. 11,1916.

J van for; G 7L CZ. e! 95M A THE COLUMBIA PLANOCIRAPH C0-, WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB F. BENTZ AND JOHN A. SERTL, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK.

PNEUMATICALLY-OPER-ATED ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

vented certain new and useful Improve-- ments in Pneumatically-Operated Electrical Switches, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates tosuch improvements and consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and subsequently claimed.

Reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, and the reference characters marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. Similar characters refer to similar parts in the several figures therein.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of a pneumatically-operated electric switch embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a view of the same showing a vertical cross-section of the electric switch taken on the broken line 2-2 in Fig. 1, and a front elevation partly in section of the air-compressor.

The principal object of the invention is to operate with convenience and safety an electric switch at more or less distance from the operator.

Other objects will appear in connection with the following description:

In carrying out our invention we connect with a movable member of an electric switch a fluid-actuated member to which fluid is supplied by a hand-operated fluid-compressor at more or less distance from the switch.

Referring to the drawings wherein the invention is shown in preferred form, 1 is the insulating base of an electric switch having two pairs of contacts, 2 and 3, adapted to be electrically connected together by means of a movable blade, 4. The switch-blade, 1, is fixed upon a piston, 5, adapted to fit within a cylinder, 6, mounted upon the base, 1, midway between the contacts, 2 and 3. The cylinder. 6, is provided with oppositely disposed longitudinal slots, 7, through which the opposite ends of the switch-blade, 4, project, and within which slots the blade is free to move in accordance with the move ments of the piston.

When the piston is in its lowermost position, the switch-blade, 4:, makes electrical connection between the contacts, 2 and 3; and when the piston is raised suificiently Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 19,1914. Serial No. 873,014.

within the cylinder, 6, the switch-blade is withdrawn from said contacts to break the clrcuit.

At a greater or less distance from the electrical switch and cylinder, 6, is mounted a cylinder, 8, containing a close-fitting piston, 9, having a laterally projecting handle, 10, the cylinder, 8, being provided with a longitudinal slot, 11, through which said handle passes and along which it is free to move. A pipe, 12, connects one end of the cylinder, 8, with one end of the cylinder, 6; and in like manner, a pipe, 13, con nects the other end of the cylinder, 8, with the other end of the cylinder, 6. The cylinder, 8, and piston, 9, thus comprise a handoperated fluid-compressor whereby, When the piston, 9, is moved in one direction, fluid under pressure will be forced through the pipe, 12, to the upper side of the piston, 5, within the cylinder, 6; and when the piston, 9, is moved in the opposite direction air under pressure will be forced through the pipe, 13, to the lower side of the piston, 5.

By moving the piston, 9, in the proper direction by means of the handle, 10, the operator can thus at a safe distance from the electrical switch supply fluid under pressure to the lower side of the piston, 5, to force the latter upwardly to move the switchblade, 4, out of engagement with the contacts, 2 and 3; or to the upper side of the piston, 5, to force the latter downward and force the switch-blade into connecting engagement with the contacts, 2 and 3.

The pipes, 12 and 13, may be made of any suitable material; but we prefer to make them of rubber, and to employ compressed air as the operating fluid, both the rubber and the air serving to insulate the operator from the electrical switch. An electrical switch controlling a highly dangerous current can thus be operated with perfect safety, and at a considerable distance from the switch itself if desired.

The switch may, if desired, be provided with a protective cover or casing, 1 1, fitting over the insulating base, 1.

For convenience of illustration the casing is shown partly broken away in Fig. 1.

By connecting the opposite ends of the cylinder, 6, with the respective opposite ends of the cylinder, 8, movement of the handoperated piston, 9, in a given direction, not only exerts a pressure upon one side of the piston, 5, but tends to produce a vacuum on the opposite side of said piston, 5, which materially facilitates the operation of said piston and the switch-member, 4, connected therewith.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is '1. The combination with an electric switch having a movable member, of a piston connected with said movable switch-member; a cylinder adapted to fit said piston; a handoperated piston; a cylinder adapted to fit said hand-operated piston; and pipe-connec tions between the opposite ends of one of said cylinders and the respective opposite ends of the other cylinder.

2. The combination with an electric switch having two pairs of contacts and a movable blade adapted to engage and electrically connect said contacts; of a piston upon which said switch-blade is fixed; a cylinder adapted to fit said piston, said cylinder being located between said pairs of contacts and being provided with longitudinal slots through which said switch-blade freely passes; a hand-operated piston having a laterally projecting handle; a cylinder fitting said hand-operated piston and provided with a longitudinal slot through which said handle freely passes; and pipe-connections between the opposite ends of one of said cylinders and the respective opposite ends of the other cylinder.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 14th day of November,

JACOB F. BENTZ. JOHN A. SERTL. Witnesses:

HAROLD A. GORDON, CLARA L. VJARNER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0'. 

